The Ojibara of Bayagan in Ifelodun LGA of Kwara State, Alhaji Kamilu Salami, has regained freedom along with six others after they broke away from their captors during a raid by local vigilantes.

Community sources said the vigilante team traced the kidnappers into the forest and launched a surprise attack, forcing the bandits to flee and giving the victims a chance to escape. The confrontation reportedly took place around the Eku Idaji axis, close to Igbaja.

Although the monarch and the other escapees have not yet returned to Bayagan, they reached out to community members to confirm that they were safe.

The kidnappers had earlier demanded N150 million and contacted the community again early Sunday, insisting that the ransom must be paid. During the call, the abductors asked the monarch to prove he was still alive.

“Negotiate my release,” he urged his people, describing how he was moved for over five hours on a motorcycle through thick forest before being taken to their camp. He also mentioned that more victims were kidnapped from another community during the attack.

Oba Ojibara was seized on Saturday morning when armed bandits invaded his farm and whisked him away.